DePaul got back into it behind Williams, who made three straight shots to cut the Aztecs' lead to 60-55 with 4:38 left.

DePaul got within four three times in the final minutes. The Blue Demons could have gotten within one basket but Morris, a junior guard from San Francisco, stole the ball with 1:03 left to prevent a possible breakaway layup.

“When DePaul made runs we all stuck together,” Morris said.

San Diego State made all 10 of its free throws in the final 1:43 and was 23-of-29 overall. Morris went 12-for-14.

Morris set her career high with 35 points at UNLV on Jan. 26.

SDSU has won four NCAA tournament games in its history but has never advanced past the second round. It had lost its last three NCAA tournament games.

Asked if it was Morris' best game, Burns said: “No. She's special. Was I surprised? No She likes March. That's a good thing. I'm glad she likes March.”

DePaul was playing in the NCAAs for the seventh straight year. It had won its opening-round game three of the last five seasons.